Tim Tebow says Hernandez situation is 'heartbreaking'

Jeff Howe Friday, July 26, 2013

Credit: Unknown

In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez right, talks with quarterback Tim Tebow (15) on the sidelines during an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern in Gainesville ,Fla. Hernandez, the team's only tight end, scored a touchdown the Gators 63-3 win. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

Credit: John Wilcox

Credit: John Wilcox

BACK ON THE FIELD: Tim Tebow meets the media horde yesterday at Gillette Stadium during the first official day of training camp.

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And on the third day, it was Tim Tebow's turn to speak.

Tebow joined the chorus of Patriots who lined up to address the Aaron Hernandez murder charge. The former Florida teammates and road-trip roommates were briefly reunited with the Patriots before Hernandez was cuffed, stuffed and rebuffed. Robert Kraft spoke about the situation earlier this offseason, and BIll Belichick tackled the issue Wednesday before the captains had their turn yesterday.

"It was heartbreaking, and it was sad," Tebow said. "But you know, we've been advised, as I'm sure you've all heard a bunch of times, not to comment on the ongoing legal investigation, so I'm not going to comment further. But it's just heartbreaking, sad and all my thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that were involved."

Tebow deflected follow-up questions, but when he walked away from the media scrum, someone asked if he is praying for Hernandez.

On the field, Tebow didn't have his best day. He was intercepted twice -- first by Nate Ebner and then by Chandler Jones -- and underthrew a seam pass that got broken up before it could reach Brandon Ford. Tebow managed the offense with some shorter passes, and he broke free for a long run, but he struggled more often than not.

However, this has been his first chance to run live reps during practice, so his presumed growth will take some time.

"It was fun," Tebow said of the practice. "A lot of fun to get out here and start practicing. This is our fourth practice (for the rookies and quarterbacks) and everyone, I feel like, has gotten better. But this is the first one with everybody out here, and it was a lot of fun. You've got a great coaching staff, great players getting to watch one of the best ever play the game in Tom (Brady), so it's been a lot of fun for me."